Bill's story

"I didn’t know it was possible to feel that bad. I was in a really dark place, but talking helped me see that suicide wasn’t the only way out. It stopped the confusion taking over.

"My marriage had broken up very suddenly and I just couldn’t handle it. I felt so lost, confused and powerless that I didn’t have a sense of future. It was only when I was so close to ending my life that I realised I needed to talk.

"I talked to lots of friends and professionals. It gave me a bit of hope and even though the bad feelings would come back, each time I talked, the hope grew and would last a little longer.

"Talking doesn’t instantly make everything better, but it does help you believe that things will get better over time.

"These types of emotion can be strange for men but never feel guilty about asking for help – friends will want to help you get better. It took time but I’m over it now."

Quotes are genuine, but names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Can your story help others?

Knowing that others have been through the same thing can encourage more people to seek help themselves. So if talking has helped you to turn your life around we're encouraging you to share your story.